2 TMC leaders arrested for smuggling iron machinery parts

Two senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders from Durgapur, Rintu Panja and Arvind Nandi, were arrested early Friday on charges of smuggling iron machinery parts. Rintu Panja is the vice president of Durgapur Block TMC and the husband of former Ward 42 councillor Priyanka Panja. Arvind Nandi is a former councillor and the ex-general secretary of the same block.

The arrests were made after questioning at Coke Oven Police Station late Thursday night. Police sources confirmed that evidence linked the duo to the theft and smuggling of industrial iron parts. Both leaders were taken to Durgapur Police Station on Friday morning, where they denied the allegations. Speaking to reporters, Rintu Panja said, "We don’t know what crime has been committed; the party is supporting us." Investigations are ongoing, and further arrests may be made based on new evidence.

The arrests come amid recent instructions from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to take strict action against corruption, irrespective of political affiliations. The directive was issued during a press conference on Thursday. Police sources have indicated that the arrests align with this crackdown, but further confirmation on whether the operation is part of a broader anti-corruption drive is awaited.

The BJP, however, dismissed the arrests as a mere eyewash. BJP leader Lakshman Barui claimed, “This is an internal issue of the TMC disguised as anti-corruption action. Such incidents are widespread across Bengal, and these arrests seem orchestrated.” He further added that if a true cleansing drive were to take place, “thousands” of arrests would be necessary across the state.